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Thanks yea. I think it's all original. We bought it on Subito from a guy who was selling on behalf of his wife. It was her father's who is now suffering from dementia.
So the story goes it was around a thousand lira when they bought it, and has sat unused for 10 years because of the illness. So that works for the 97/98 as @Rik_Van_Looy says.
I was too busy checking it over while the girlfriend spoke the Italian, should have asked for more details. I believe it was bought new and untouched (unserviced) apart from the chain being 50 links too short now.
pdlouche-
For some reason I thought Carrera were Spanish.
Anyway, 9 speed Athena is quite a rare thing: it was only listed in the catalogue in 1998 and 1999 (Athena was dropped from 2000).
So I'd suggest that pins your bike to '98-'00.
A good deal, as I'd guess the groupset is worth what you paid for the bike, likely more.
Scilly.Suffolk
Tidy little machine! Do you think the groupset is original or a later addition? looks late 90s at a guess